<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE article PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD JATS (Z39.96) Journal Publishing DTD v1.2d1 20170631//EN" "JATS-journalpublishing1.dtd">
<ArticleSet>
<Article>
<Journal>
<PublisherName>ejsss</PublisherName>
<JournalTitle>ELECTRONIC JOURNAL OF SOCIAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES</JournalTitle>
<PISSN/>
<EISSN/>
<Volume-Issue>Volume 6 Issue 3</Volume-Issue>
<PartNumber/>
<IssueTopic>Multidisciplinary</IssueTopic>
<IssueLanguage>English</IssueLanguage>
<Season>Dec 2025-Jan 2026</Season>
<SpecialIssue>N</SpecialIssue>
<SupplementaryIssue>N</SupplementaryIssue>
<IssueOA>Y</IssueOA>
<PubDate>
<Year>2026</Year>
<Month>01</Month>
<Day>31</Day>
</PubDate>
<ArticleType>Regional/Country Studies</ArticleType>
<ArticleTitle>From Strategic Bonhomie to Uncertainty: Bangladesh__ampersandsignrsquo;s Post-Hasina Realignment and Implications for India__ampersandsignrsquo;s Geopolitical Interests</ArticleTitle>
<SubTitle/>
<ArticleLanguage>English</ArticleLanguage>
<ArticleOA>Y</ArticleOA>
<FirstPage>441</FirstPage>
<LastPage>462</LastPage>
<AuthorList>
<Author>
<FirstName>Dr Suvasish</FirstName>
<LastName>Chakraborty</LastName>
<AuthorLanguage>English</AuthorLanguage>
<Affiliation/>
<CorrespondingAuthor>N</CorrespondingAuthor>
<ORCID/>
</Author>
</AuthorList>
<DOI>10.47362/EJSSS.2026.6304 </DOI>
<Abstract>The article critically examines the reorientation of Bangladesh__ampersandsign#39;s foreign policy under the post-Hasina government and its effects on the Indian strategic environment in the east. It argues that the dramatic fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime following the July revolution and the formation of an interim government under Muhammad Yunus were not merely a political shift within the country but a structural shift in Bangladesh__ampersandsignrsquo;s foreign policy focus. Given the historical trajectory of India-Bangladesh relations, this study sheds light on three critical objectives: first, it strives to elucidate the recent shift and rewriting of Bangladesh__ampersandsign#39;s foreign policy and its worsening impact on India-Bangladesh relations. Second, it assesses how Bangladesh__ampersandsign#39;s contemporary drift towards the new axis of China and Pakistan poses a new threat to India__ampersandsignrsquo;s national and regional interests on the eastern front. Third, it proposes India__ampersandsign#39;s policy alternatives with respect to Bangladesh through improved connectivity, calibrated diplomacy, and reinvigorated sub-regional cooperation. Methodologically, this study follows a qualitative, process-tracing research approach, relying on primary sources like joint statements and declarations, government-linked media briefings, and other official documents, supplemented by a range of secondary literature. The research findings of this article reveal that Bangladesh__ampersandsign#39;s changing position has reduced India__ampersandsign#39;s strategic comfort zone in South Asian geopolitics; external forces are gaining influence in India__ampersandsign#39;s eastern periphery; and therefore, it is the dire need of the hour for India to adopt a strong but flexible, incentive-driven engagement strategy to stabilise its regional order.</Abstract>
<AbstractLanguage>English</AbstractLanguage>
<Keywords>Post-Hasina Realignment, India-Bangladesh Relations, Eastern Strategic Challenge, Bangladesh’s Foreign Policy, South Asia Geopolitics.</Keywords>
<URLs>
<Abstract>https://www.ejsss.net.in/ubijournal-v1copy/journals/abstract.php?article_id=16102&title=From Strategic Bonhomie to Uncertainty: Bangladesh__ampersandsignrsquo;s Post-Hasina Realignment and Implications for India__ampersandsignrsquo;s Geopolitical Interests</Abstract>
</URLs>
<References>
<ReferencesarticleTitle>References</ReferencesarticleTitle>
<ReferencesfirstPage>16</ReferencesfirstPage>
<ReferenceslastPage>19</ReferenceslastPage>
<References>Bajpai, K. (2011, September 17). Why Bangladesh should matter to us. The Times of India. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/edit-page/why-bangladesh-should-matter-to-us/articleshow/10009443.cms
Bangladesh Awami League. (2021, December 7). Bangladesh-India friendship is not confined to treaties and MoUs: HPM Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh Awami League. Retrieved from: https://www.albd.org/articles/news/38001/Bangladesh-India-friendship-is-not-confined-to-treaties-and-MoUs:-HPM-Sheikh-Hasina
Bharadwaj, S. K. (2020). Tenets of India-Bangladesh Relations. Indian Foreign Affairs Journal, 15 (3): 259and;ndash;267. Retrieved from: https://www.jstor.org/stable/48630187?seq=1
Bhattasali, A. (2019, March 17). Chayer Addai Cigaretter Kagoje Jevabe jonmo hoy and;lsquo;Shono Akti Mujiburer Thekeand;rdquo; Ganti. BBC. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20200602224956/https://www.bbc.com/bengali/news-47601176
Bhttacharyya, J. (2025, December 19). India monitoring dumping, security concerns as China increases footprint in volatile Bangladesh. India Tribune. Retrieved from: https://www.indiatribune.com/public/india-monitoring-dumping-security-concerns-as-china-increases-footprint-in-volatile-bangladesh
Davis, C. (2025, May 20). Chinaand;rsquo;s expanding influence in Bangladesh: Strategic debt and naval ambitions. Small Wars Journal. Retrieved from: https://smallwarsjournal.com/2025/05/20/china-bangladesh-bay-of-bengal-strategy/
Defence Monitor (2025, December 19). India monitoring dumping, security concerns as China increases footprint in volatile Bangladesh. Defence Monitor. Retrieved from: https://share.google/OKWDCDbbzJrpxPdLU
Firstpost. (2025, December 23). As anti-India sentiment rises, Bangladesh suspends visa services in Delhi and Agartala. Firstpost. Retrieved from: https://www.firstpost.com/world/bangladesh-suspends-visa-services-in-delhi-osman-hadi-death-violence-dhaka-chattogram-13962124.html
IANS. (2017, October 4). India approves $4.5 bn loan to Bangladesh for infrastructure projects. Business Standard. Retrieved from: https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/india-approves-4-5-bn-loan-to-bangladesh-for-infrastructure-projects-117100400553_1.html
Islam, M. S. (2021). Fifty Years of Bangladesh-India Relations: Issues, Challenges, Possibilities. New Delhi: Pentagon Press
Islam, M. S. (2022). Bangladesh-India relations: Fifty years of friendship and partnership. The Journal of Bangladesh and Global Affairs, 1(1). Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.55875/jbga.bd.may22.006
Karmakar, S. (2023, December 31). ULFA leaders say crackdown in Bangladesh forced them to sign peace pact with government. Deccan Herald. Retrieved from https://www.deccanherald.com/india/assam/ulfa-leaders-say-crackdown-in-bangladesh-forced-them-to-sign-peace-pact-with-government-2830771
Mahajan, H. (2025, March 28). Illegal Bangladeshi / Rohingya migration-Biggest threat to Indiaand;rsquo;s national security (Part I). Indus International Research Foundation. Retrieved from: https://indusresearch.in/illegal-bangladeshi-rohingya-migration-biggest-threat-to-indias-national-security-part-1/
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. (2017, April 8). India and;ndash; Bangladesh Joint Statement during the State Visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India [Joint statement]. MEA. Retrieved from https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/28362/India__Bangladesh_Joint_Statement_during_the_State_Visit_of_Prime_Minister_of_Bangladesh_to_India_April_8_2017
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. (2025, July 15). The Government of India is willing to co-operate with the Government of Bangladesh for the repair and reconstruction of the ancestral property of Satyajit Ray [Press release]. MEA. Retrieved from: https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/39805/The_Government_of_India_is_willing_to_cooperate_with_the_Government_of_Bangladesh_for_the_repair_and_reconstruction_of_the_ancestral_property_of_Satya
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Peopleand;rsquo;s Republic of China (2025). Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong Attends China-Bangladesh-Pakistan Vice Foreign Minister/Foreign Secretary Meeting. Retrieved from: https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjb/zzjg_663340/yzs_663350/xwlb_663352/202506/t20250620_11653906.html
New Age. (2016). Payra Port Authority inks three MoUs with Chinese companies. New Age. Retrieved from: https://www.newagebd.net/article/4411/payra-port-authority-inks-three-mous-with-chinese-companies
Pattanaik, S. S. (2020). India - Bangladesh Relations: Enduring Challenges. Indian Foreign Affairs Journal, 15(3), 211and;ndash;218. Retrieved from: https://www.jstor.org/stable/48630181
Paul, R. (2025, March 28). Bangladesh says Xi Jinping would consider lowering interest on Chinese loans. Reuters. Retrieved from: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bangladesh-says-xi-jinping-would-consider-lowering-interest-chinese-loans-2025-03-28/
Poidevin, O. L. (2025, July 11). Support for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh risks collapse, UN refugee agency says. Reuters. Retrieved from: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/support-rohingya-refugees-bangladesh-risks-collapse-un-refugee-agency-says-2025-07-11/
Press Information Bureau. (2015, May 30). Agreement on coastal shipping between India and Bangladesh [Press release]. Ministry of Shipping, Government of India. Retrieved from: https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=122148and;reg=3and;lang=2
Press Information Bureau. (2017, December 18). Status of BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement [Press release]. Ministry of Road Transport and; Highways, Government of India. Retrieved from: https://share.google/OE27k0W0HVU50aPd5
Press Information Bureau. (2024, October 26). Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah to inaugurate Passenger Terminal building and Maitri Dwar at Land Port, Petrapole in West Bengal on tomorrow [Press release]. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Retrieved from: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2068384and;reg=3and;lang=2
PTI. (2024, December 24). Vajpayee@100: An orator par excellence; excerpts from some of the former PMand;rsquo;s speeches. The Print. Retrieved from: https://theprint.in/india/vajpayee100-an-orator-par-excellence-excerpts-from-some-of-the-former-pms-speeches/2417772/
Rizve, S. (2025, August 5). Bangladeshand;rsquo;s post-Hasina foreign policy reset. The Diplomat. Retrieved from: https://thediplomat.com/2025/08/bangladeshs-post-hasina-foreign-policy-reset/
Sharma, S. (2025, November 7). India fortifies Chickenand;rsquo;s Neck: 3 new garrisons set up on Bangladesh border. India Today. Retrieved from: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-fortifies-chickens-neck-3-new-garrisons-set-up-on-bangladesh-border-2815227-2025-11-07
South Asians for Human Rights. (2015, June 10). SAHR press statement on Land Boundary Agreement and;ndash; 9 June 2015. Retrieved from: https://southasianrights.org/sahr-press-statement-on-land-boundary-agreement-9-june-2015/
Subhajit Roy, Yunus pitch to China: Indiaand;rsquo;s Northeast landlocked, Bangladesh is your gateway, The Indian Express, April 1, 2025, https://indianexpress.com/article/india/yunus-pitch-to-china-indias-n-e-landlocked-bangladesh-is-your-gateway-9917020/
The New Indian Express (2025, October 29). Bangladesh-Pakistan ties in spotlight after Yunus gifts book featuring and;lsquo;controversial mapand;rsquo; to Pakistani general. The New India Express. Retrieved from: https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2025/Oct/29/bangladesh-pakistan-ties-in-spotlight-after-yunus-gifts-book-featuring-controversial-map-to-pakistani-general
Tiwari, S. (2025, June 30). Beijingand;rsquo;s new club. The Hindu. Retrieved from: https://frontline.thehindu.com/world-affairs/china-pakistan-bangladesh-trilateral-kunming-dialogue-2025/article69755470.ece</References>
</References>
</Journal>
</Article>
</ArticleSet>